[Polychondritis--a rare and difficult diagnosis]

We present two patients with polychondritis. Polychondritis is a rare inflammatory disease of unknown origin, but immunological mechanisms are essential in the pathogenesis. Histological features are inflammation and destruction of cartilage. The disease is systemic, may have a remitting course, and it can be primary or associated with several other diseases. We also review the literature with emphasis on symptoms, clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures and treatment. The literature consists mainly of case reports, summary of case reports, no epidemiological and only few clinical studies. Two sets of diagnostic criteria with great similarities have been proposed. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs or immunosuppressive drugs like glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide are the drugs of choice, depending on the stage and severity of the disease.